Gage Takes Stand on Nov. 8 Ballot Measures

Supervisor splits ranks with Governor on some issues
Gilroy – Santa Clara Supervisor Don Gage is opposed to two special election measures favored by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a fellow Republican.

“I don’t think he’s doing the right thing,” Gage said of measures on the Nov. 8 ballot. Proposition 75 would limit union political contributions. Proposition 76 would give the governor greater control of the state’s budget.

Gage said that elected union representatives should have the authority to speak for their membership by making political contributions, and that strict caps on state spending would ultimately hurt counties and cities. Schwarzenegger wants the ability to cut particular items out of the budget without legislative approval.

“You have to be able to manage your own budget,” Gage said. “If you start putting caps on it you can cripple what the state gives to cities and we’re already devastated.”

Gage does support Proposition 77, which would put the power to redraw legislative districts in the hands of retired judges, and Proposition 73, which requires minors to notify at least one parent or guardian before receiving an abortion.

“I have a lot of experience with youth and the one thing that parents say to me is that if we want them to be responsible for their kids, we have to give them the tools,” Gage said. “It’s not just about the abortion; it’s about changing behavior. You can’t change the behavior if you don’t know what’s going on.”

Gage is the only county supervisor on record to support the abortion measure, which is opposed by social service providers who say the measure will endanger the health of young women and not reduce abortions. His colleagues on the board have joined Gage’s opposition to Propositions 75 and 76.

The full board has also endorsed Proposition 79, one of two competing measures to extend prescription drug benefits to more low-income Californians. Prop. 79 would create a program under the auspices of the state’s Medi-Cal program. Proposition 78 would be administered by pharmaceutical companies.

Prop. 78 has been supported by the California Farm Bureau, which this week endorsed the election measures along conservative lines. The farm bureau supports a measure making it hard for teachers to receive tenure as well as Propositions 75 through 78. It came out against Proposition 80, which would restore some energy regulations. The farm bureau did not take a stance on the abortion measure.